MECO Chairman Antonio I. Basilio said the MOU between the two agencies would promote and encourage economic cooperation between the Philippines and Taiwan, the country’s fifth largest trading partner.
It was reported that Taiwan poured in some $83 million in investments in the Philippines alone last year.
"Taiwan is our closest neighbor and our fifth largest trading partner," he said. "We should exploit Taiwan’s ‘Go South Policy’ to the fullest."
For her part, Immigration Commissioner Andrea Domingo said she was very willing to tie up with MECO in this endeavor because of the good working relationship between the two agencies and the benefits that the MOU will produce.
"We are always on the lookout for ways to expedite and to decrease the cost of processing visas," she said. "This will open up opportunities for the country like the Philippines could be promoted as the best place to learn English so they won’t have to go all the way to London or the United States to study."
Also present during the signing of the MOU which was held at Club Intramuros were MECO Director Ma. Isabel O. Golamco with oversight over information, culture and education; lawyer Benjamin Kalaw, Domingo’s chief of staff; Yeh Ming Chi of All Seasons Manpower International; Thomas K.S. Chen, Vice Chairman of the Chinatrust Commercial Bank; Seimo Huang and Randy Chen of the Taiwan Association.
The MOU will allow MECO to endorse visa applications for Taiwanese nationals who are deemed "necessary and indispensable for the corporate mission and business objectives of the Taiwanese investor." MECO will also make sure that the visa applicant complies with the submission of the necessary documents like the written request for employment, application form and affidavit of support or guarantee.
The application will then be processed by a review committee, which will be designated by Domingo. This review committee, according to the MOU, will not require the presentation of original documents provided the MECO certifies the authenticity of the submitted documents. The personal appearance of the applicant will also be waived subject to the committee’s approval.
MECO and BI will also work together in the issuance of single or multiple exit and re-entry permits for the Taiwanese national and their families if this is required. The MOU will take effect for a period of three years.